The Election Commission has allotted 15 days to the candidates for launching election campaign starting February16 ahead of the March 5 general election. Political parties are allowed to launch election campaign from February 16 to March 2, according to Suman Ghimire, deputy spokesperson at the Election Commission.
According to Ghimire no campaign activities—including rallies, processions, or assemblies—are allowed before February 16, in line with the Election Code of Conduct.
During the official campaign period, political parties may organize public events and publish or broadcast election-related materials through the media. “Political parties are allowed to organize public rallies, mass meetings and other election campaign related programmes in the open only between February 16 and March 2,” he said. He, however added that candidates may launch conduct door-to-door campaigns even before February 16.
A 48 hour silence period will be enforced after the mid-night of March 2, during which all campaign activities must cease.
During the upcoming House of Representatives elections, a total of 18.9 million eligible voters can exercise their voting rights under the direct election of 165 House of Representatives members. Out of the total number of 275 members, 110 are elected to the Lower House through proportionate voting system.
